Located in Orange County, the San Juan Creek Trail is a great spot for outdoor lovers. It goes all the way to the scenic Doheny Beach in Dana Point. This trail is a special find that offers natural beauty and is easy to get to. In this post, we’ll look at what makes the San Juan Creek Trail so charming and the fun of getting to Doheny Beach.
Quick Overview of San Juan Creek Trail
| Features | Activities | Access & Parking | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Located in Orange County, stretching to Doheny Beach in Dana Point. Flat, paved trail ideal for walking, biking, and running. | Offers a scenic route for biking, a peaceful environment for walking, and a flat path for running. Suitable for family trips and solo outings. | Parking available at Zoomars parking lot, 31791 Los Rios St, San Juan Capistrano. Free with bathrooms, open until 10pm. | Scenic views of San Juan Creek along the way, showcasing natural beauty and varied ecosystems. |
| Known for its bird watching opportunities and diverse plant life, including coastal sage scrub and riparian habitats. | Ends at Doheny Beach, perfect for swimming, surfing, and picnicking. Features facilities like restrooms, picnic areas, and volleyball courts. | Easy to get to, with options to start from nearby neighborhoods or directly from the parking lot. | The trail leads to Dana Point, Dana Point Harbor, and various events. |
| The trail is part of a longer route that can take you all the way to San Diego, passing San Clemente, Trestles Beach and San Onofre. | Safe and kid-friendly, with a portion of the trail turning into a dirt road in San Clemente, where e-bikes are not allowed. | E-bikes are popular but require caution due to the speed at which some riders travel. | A satisfying destination for outdoor lovers, offering a mix of adventure, fun, and relaxation. |
The San Juan Creek Trail is flat and paved, making it ideal for walking, biking, and running. It’s a good length for both family trips and solo outings. Along the trail, you’ll see views of the San Juan Creek, which creates a peaceful setting for your adventure.
The trail is known for its varied ecosystem. It’s a great place for bird watching, with many different birds to see. The plants along the trail, like coastal sage scrub and riparian habitats, show the natural vegetation of Southern California.
Reaching Doheny Beach at the end of the trail is very satisfying. The beach, with its soft sand and gentle waves, is perfect for swimming, surfing, and picnics. It also has great facilities like restrooms, picnic areas, and volleyball courts, making it a nice place to relax and have fun.
Dana Point is a lively coastal town with lots to do, like whale watching tours and visiting Dana Point Harbor. The town also has various events throughout the year, adding to its charm
My Experience Biking the San Juan Creek Trail
I’ve rode the San Juan Creek Trail many times, and I’ve got to say, it’s a fantastic route, especially for getting to the beach. It’s a pretty scenic ride, not too challenging, which I appreciate. I usually start my journey from the Zoomars parking lot.
For those who don’t know, Zoomars is a petting zoo with some fun rides for kids. The parking lot there is quite large and includes bathrooms, which is convenient. I park right at the entrance of the lot; it’s easy to find and free, and you can leave your car there until 10pm.
From the parking lot, you just cross over to the bike path. If you head left, it takes you straight to Doheny State Beach. I often bike this trail and have brought my kids along too.
There’s a wooden bridge you’ll cross early on. You could also park in the nearby neighborhoods and join the path from there.
The trail is well-paved and generally safe. However, there is a part where there’s no fence, so it’s important to stay on the path and not get too close to the edge where the creek is.
With the popularity of e-bikes, you do need to be a bit more alert as some teenagers zoom by pretty fast.
The route includes going under a few bridges before you reach Doheny State Beach. At the beach, you can turn right and follow the path next to the Doheny campground.
This leads you along the beach towards San Clemente. It’s also a safe path and kid-friendly.
The entire trail is paved up to the San Clemente beach trail, which doesn’t allow e-bikes and turns into a dirt road.
Some people still ride e-bikes there, but you can also detour through the neighborhood to get to the San Clemente Pier.
What’s cool about this path is that you can actually take it all the way to San Diego. Along the way, you’ll pass Trestles Beach and San Onofre.
At San Onofre, you’ll need to ride on the road for a bit, then you hit the San Onofre campground which leads to another safe bike path that ends at Las Pulgas near Camp Pendleton.
If you have a bike pass, you can even ride through Camp Pendleton. Overall, it’s a great ride with lots to see and a safe, enjoyable path for everyone.
Conclusion
Whether you live nearby or are just visiting, the San Juan Creek Trail leading to Doheny Beach in Dana Point is a place you should definitely go to. Its easy access and the beautiful, calm environment of both the trail and the beach make it a great choice for anyone looking for a relaxing and enjoyable time outdoors.
